2010 Labor Day Events in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana has a wide range of events to celebrate Labor Day this year. Parades, pools, ribs and racing are all staples of Labor Day in Indianapolis. Here is a quick review of what Indianapolis has to offer for your Labor Day weekend.

Indianapolis' 2010 Labor Day Parade is Saturday, September 4. Festivities begin with a pre-parade program at the corner of Pennsylvania and North Streets at 9:30am. The parade itself will begin at 11am, moving south on Pennsylvania Street, turning west on Ohio, north on Meridian Street, and finishing east on North Street to complete the loop.

Labor Day Weekend is a time of cookouts and barbecues, one last time to gather friends around the grill for the summer. Indianapolis takes this philosophy to its extreme with the Rib America Festival, which runs from Friday, September 3 - Monday, September 6. For 15 years, tens of thousands of people have gathered at Military Park for music and barbecue. This year features performances by Ted Nugent, Bret Michaels, Collective Soul, the Pat Travers Band, and lots more. The Rib America Festival is open from 11am - 11pm Friday - Sunday, and 11am - 8pm Monday. Admission is free until 5pm on Friday and 1pm Saturday-Monday. After these times, you'll have to pay $5. To buy food, drinks, or play games, you'll need to buy tickets like at a county fair. Tickets are $10 for a strip of 7 or 3 for $5.

Labor Day is often the final weekend that pools are open, and the Monon Community Center Outdoor Aqua Park at Central Park in Carmel plans to go out with a splash. Splashtacular occurs on Monday, September 6 from 11am - 5pm. Adults can get in for $8, youth for $5. Events, open to participants of all ages, include a water balloon toss, cardboard boat building and race, and cannon ball contest. The Monon Community Center is located at 1195 Central Park Drive West, in Carmel. Call 317-848-7275 for more information.

From Thursday, September 2 - Monday, September 6, Indianapolis will host the National Hot Rod Association's MAC Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Qualifications start Thursday at 8am, with the final eliminations on Monday at 11am. Tickets have been on sale since May. Prices range from $14 for Thursday's qualifications to $155 for 6-day general admission. See the O'Reilly Raceway Park website for more details.

On Saturday, September 4, enjoy a free concert at the Garfield Park MacAllister Center. Music from America We Remember will begin at 6:30pm. Visitors can bring chairs or blankets and pack a picnic or buy food at the park. The evening will conclude with fireworks. Garfield Park is located at 2345 Pagoda Drive. Call 317-327-7275 for more information.

Whether you're grilling, swimming, or listening to some great music, enjoy your Labor Day Weekend in Indianapolis!